The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-04-09
THE FISHERY QUESTION
POSITION OF TIE PRESIDENT.
lie Will Not Act Hastily in Regard to the
hetaliatory Measure, hut Mt tho same
Time Assures tho People TINT hs wfil
Uphold tho Dignity OF the Nation.

Uphold tho Dignity OF the Nation.
WAnulSoTos, D. o., April s.-Thc preui.
dent having yeceived communication
from the American Fiaheries' Union, Of
Massschusatts, calling attention to the
fiaheries dispute, and suggesting tha. tho
retaliatory act passed by the late Con.
etess would, In their opinion, be .uili.
ciently executed II the proposed retail.
atory law WAS confined to tho closing Of
tho United States market 10 Canadian
iish products, he hss made the following
answor:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WARRINGTON, d. e., Ap,ll7, 1857.
George Steel, Esq., President american Fish.
cry Union, and others, Giouccster, Mass:
GENTLEMEN:-I have received your let
yer lately addressed to mo and have given
full consideration to tho expression Of the
views and wishes therein contained, in 70.
lation 10 the existing differences between
the Government OF Great Britain and the
United Stntes, growing ont OF the refusal
10 award to our citizsns engaged in fishing
enterprises the privileges 10 which they
are entitled, either un,.er treaty stipna-
tions or tho guarantee Of international
comfy and neighborly concession. z
l sincerely trust the apprehension you
express Of unjust and unfriendly treat
ment ot American fishermen lawfully
iound In Canadian waters will not bo real
lzsd, but II such apprehensions shotiA.
prove to be we'll founded, earnestly hone
tha. no fault or inconsiderate action OF any
OF our citizens will in tho least weaken the
Just position Of our Government, or de.
prive us Of the universal sympathy and
eupport to, which We should b0 entitled.
Tbs action Of this administration
since June 1885, before been given by
our Government, has been fully
disclosed by the correspondence between
the representatives and the appropriate
departments OF the respective govern
inents, with which, I am spprlsed by your
letter, you are entirely familiar. An 1x.
aminstion OF this correspondence has
doubtless satlatied you that in no case
have the rights or privileges Of American
fishermen been overlooked or neglected,
but that, on the contrary, they have been
aedulously insisLed upon and cared for by
| every means within the coutrol OF the ex.
ecu.iVe branch o! the government.
RETALIATION.
The act oil Congress approved March 8,
1887, authorizing a course OF retaliation
through executive action in the event OF a
continuance on the part OF the British
American sushorities OF unfrientlly con-
duct sud treaty violations lecting Ameri.
can fishermen has devolvei upon the
Prcnident Of the United States exceedingly
gtsvg and to.emn responsibilities, COM
pretending highly important conse-
quencss to oRr national character and
dignity, and involving extremely valua-
pie commercial intercourse between the
British posstssiona OF North America
and the psop!s OF the United States. l
understand the main purpose OF your
letter IS to suggest tnat in case
the retalla;ory measures authorized BY
this act should be- invited by unjust treat
mens Of our fishermen i'll the future, the
object oil such retaliation might be iuly
accomplished by prohibiting Canadian
caught fish from entering into the parts OF
tue United States" The existing coutro-
veIsy is onein which two nations are the
parties concerned. The retaliation con-
templated By the nc! Of Congress is to be
enforced not to protect solely any particu-
lar Interest, however meritorious or valu.
able, but 10 maintain the National honor,
and thus protect all our people. In this
view, the violation OF American
fishery rights and unjust or un-
friendly acts towards 3 portion
of our citizens engaged in this busincss,
is but the occasion for dction, ard consti.
tute0 national sfront, which gives birth
to, OF msy justify retaliation. This meas
ure, once resorted to its effectiveness and
value may well depend upon the thorough.
ness and extent Of its application, and il
the performance CT international duties,
the enforcement Of international rishtJ
and in the protection OF our citizers this
government and the people Of the United
Stateg must act as unit, all intent upon
attaining the best !etu.t oil retaliation
upon the baeis OF maintenance Of ma
tionSI honor AID duty. A nation seeking
by any means to msiulsiu lis honor, dig
nifty and integrity 10 enSaged in protecting
the rights oil its people and II in such ef
lorts particular interests are injured and
special advantages forfeited these thinIi
ahoulI be pGtrioticaIly borne for the pub
lie goad.
WILL NOT rLISCH.